Why is it difficult to be an astronaut?

Why is it so incredibly hard to be an astronaut? Gosh, where do I even begin? It’s brutal, way harder than those space documentaries let on, I swear. I mean, just imagine – months, maybe even years, cooped up with the same few people. Think of your most annoying family member, now imagine you can’t even get a moment alone from them. That’s basically the isolation. Crushing. Absolutely crushing. My cousin, he’s a pilot, and even he says the loneliness he sometimes feels on long flights is nothing compared to what astronauts talk about.

Then there’s the physical stuff. I saw a documentary once – a real astronaut talking about how his bones literally started to thin out in zero gravity. Think about that! Your own body betraying you! And the risks? Don’t even get me started. One tiny malfunction, one unexpected solar flare… poof! Gone. It’s terrifying. Seriously, terrifying. I remember reading about that Apollo 13 mission, the one with the oxygen tank explosion – I nearly cried.

And the training! My goodness, the relentless, never-ending training! It’s not just pushing yourself physically, it’s this constant, gnawing pressure. You’re representing humanity, for crying out loud! The entire world is watching, hoping you don’t mess up. It’s like being a high-stakes athlete, a brain surgeon, and a world-class diplomat all rolled into one – constantly juggling these massive responsibilities. It’s a battle, a constant battle against your own limits – mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s just… exhausting. No wonder so few people even make it through the process. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, or the weakly-stomached. Nope, not at all.